Western Pewee—Uncommon to rare summer resident of wooded bottomlands along the Little Missouri River. Look for it in both units of the Roosevelt Memorial, at Sully’s Creek Park, and in wooded residential areas of Medora and Marmarth. This species has a harsh call which is quite different from the “pee-a-wee” of the Eastern Pewee. It can often be separated by sight as well. The Western has a dusky breast and flanks with a light “zipper” extending upward to the upper breast something like an Olive-sided Flycatcher.
Blue Jay—Fairly common permanent resident of deciduous woodlands west to Bismarck. Uncommon in the southwest quarter and uncommon to rare in the northwest quarter. Not hard to find in the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills, at Turtle River Park, Stump Lake Park, Sully’s Hill Game Preserve, Linden wood and Oak Grove Parks in Fargo, Little Yellowstone Park, Sully’s Creek Park, Little Missouri Park, the campgrounds of both units of the Roosevelt Memorial, the Sibley Island area at Bismarck, and in bottomland forests along the James, Red, and Sheyenne Rivers.
Black-billed Magpie—Fairly common permanent resident of wood margins, prairie thickets, and agricultural areas throughout much of the western half. Uncommon breeder in the Turtle Mountains and Devils Lake regions. Uncommon winter visitor over the rest of the state. Easy to find in both units of the Roosevelt Memorial, Sully’s Creek and Little Missouri Parks; western [Bowman], [Slope], and Golden Valley Counties; the Williston area; and along the Missouri River near Bismarck. Look for it also on Lostwood, Des Lacs, Upper Souris, and J. Clark Salyer (especially the sandhills) Refuges. In the east look for it in winter in the Turtle Mountains, Pembina Hills, on the south side of Devils Lake, Arrowwood Refuge, and in the Valley City area.
Black-capped Chickadee—Fairly common permanent resident of deciduous forests throughout. In winter it is commonly seen in residential areas. Should be easy to find at such places as Sully’s Creek Park, along the river and in wooded draws in both units of the Roosevelt Memorial, Upper Souris and J. Clark Salyer Refuges, throughout the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills, Turtle River Park, Stump Lake Park, Sully’s Hill Game Preserve, and along portions of the Missouri (near Bismarck), James ([Stutsman] County), Sheyenne ([Barnes], [Ransom], and [Richland] Counties), and Red (around Fargo) Rivers.
Sedge Wren—Fairly common summer resident of sedge fields, wet meadows, grassy edges of seasonal ponds, retired croplands, and alfalfa hayfields in the northwest, northeast, and southeast sectors. Found in the southwest only in alfalfa fields bordering the Missouri and its tributaries in [Morton] County. Look for it at Kelly’s Slough; Rush Lake; Lake Ardoch; the Little Heart River crossing; Des Lacs, Lostwood, Upper Souris, J. Clark Salyer, Rose Lake, Lake Alice, Arrowwood, Long Lake, and Tewaukon Refuges; and in suitable habitat in the Turtle Mountains. Of these, J. Clark Salyer Refuge may be best.
Rock Wren—Locally fairly common to uncommon summer resident of eroded buttes and desert-like arroyos in the western half. Look for it in both units of the Roosevelt Memorial, Sully’s Creek and Little Missouri Parks, the badlands area south of Mandan on Highway 1806, and in appropriate habitat along the roads going south from Marmarth and Rhame.
Gray Catbird—Common summer resident of brushy forest edges, prairie thickets, and shelterbelts throughout. Easy to find at Sully’s Creek Park, both units of Roosevelt Memorial, Lake Ilo, Des Lacs, Lostwood, Upper Souris, J. Clark Salyer, Arrowwood, and Tewaukon Refuges; throughout the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills; at Turtle River Park; Stump Lake Park; Sully’s Hill Game Preserve; and along the wooded bottomlands of the James, Missouri, Red, and Sheyenne Rivers.
Brown Thrasher—Common to fairly common summer resident throughout. Occupies much the same habitat and areas as the Catbird. Occurs more often in residential areas.
Gray-cheeked Thrush—Fairly common migrant in wooded parks, bottomlands, hills, coulees, and residential areas throughout most of the state. Fairly easy to find during May (harder to find in fall) at such places as Lindenwood Park; Turtle River, Little Yellowstone, and Stump Lake Parks; Sully’s Hill Game Preserve; Upper Souris, Des Lacs, and J. Clark Salyer Refuges; throughout the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills; and in wooded bottomlands of the Missouri (at Bismarck), James, Sheyenne, and Red Rivers.
Eastern Bluebird—Uncommon summer resident of forest edges, sandhills, orchards, shelterbelts, and agricultural areas throughout (rare in the southwest quarter). Most common in the southeast corner and in the Turtle Mountains. Some of the better areas are around Lake Ashtabula and Clausen Springs in [Barnes] County, and in the Sheyenne River bottomlands, sandhills, and grasslands in [Ransom] and [Richland] Counties. Try also appropriate habitat along the James River near Jamestown, and along the Missouri River near Bismarck and Mandan.